Barry Wright
Three Sarnia high schools will contend for the crown when the Lambton Kent Secondary School Athletic Association boys hockey playoffs begin next week.
St. Patrick’s hosts Chatham-Kent on Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. at Clearwater Arena in “AAA” semi-final action, while SCITS entertains Chatham-John McGregor on the same day at the Sarnia Arena in “A/AA” semi-final play at 2:30 pm.
The other “AAA” semi-final sees Northern travel to Chatham to take on Ursuline College for a Feb. 12 afternoon game at 2 p.m.
The Fighting Irish won the North division regular season banner, going unbeaten with four wins and two ties in six games and outscoring the opposition, 25-5.
But, St. Pat's head coach and boys hockey convenor Blake Morrison said those numbers hold little weight once the puck drops in the postseason. The Sarnia schools didn’t play Chatham-Kent during the regular season.
“The challenge is that we don't know them very well,” said Morrison. “It's a one-game elimination. Anything can happen on any given day.”
Dresden's Lambton-Kent and Ursuline College tied for the best record in the CK portion of the league with 5-1 records.
“The hockey is extremely good and very competitive,” said Morrison.
Meanwhile, LKSSAA girls hockey playoffs also begin next week with St. Pat's and SCITS playing at Chatham-Kent and Ridgetown next Wednesday and Thursday respectively, while Northern hosts Ursuline College on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Clearwater Arena at 3 p.m.
“All in all, it was a good year and now we're looking forward to the playoffs,” said girls convener Frank Torti.
The provincial girls tournament will be held next month in Stratford.
The boys “AAA” provincials will be in Windsor and the “A/AA” event in Ottawa, also in March.